Get set for summer in Southwold – our guide to what’s coming up

The soaring temperatures in Southwold over the recent Easter weekend gave us a real taste for summer – and we can’t wait!

Our seaside town truly comes to life during the summer months. Brightly coloured bunting adorns the pretty shop-fronts on the high street while along the prom, beach huts are treated to a fresh lick of paint ready for another season of fun. The days are longer, the skies are brighter and there is a sense of excitement in the sea air.

If you are holidaying with us this summer, our guide to local events and places to go will give you a touch of inspiration…

Southwold Arts Festival:  22nd- 29th June 2019

Now in its sixth year, the Southwold Arts Festival has become a summer highlight and features an eclectic mix of music, visual arts, poetry and talks.

This eight-day celebration of the arts will launch on the 22nd June with a colourful street event with music, dancing and singing throughout the day. This year’s theme is ‘Fantastic Creatures’ so join in the midday parade and dress up as your favourite (think dragons, unicorns or whatever you fancy).  

Suffolk Secrets is the main sponsor of the festival again this year so look out for our weird and wonderful creatures in the parade!

The street festival is free and open to everyone and is followed by a week of exciting ticketed events all available to book on the festival website.

Southwold Maize Maze

Voted ‘Best Small Visitor Attraction’ in the 2019 Norfolk and Suffolk Tourism Awards, the Southwold Maize Maze provides hours of fun for all the family.  Team up with your friends to tackle the giant puzzle of pathways set among 8 acres of maize or enjoy the play park with go-karts, bouncing pillows, zip wires and much more. New for 2019, is the Old Hall Café & Walks, open throughout the year and commanding an amazing position overlooking Reydon marshes. You can also stay next to the maze at the fabulous Old Hall Farm House available to book with Suffolk Secrets. Check out the website for details of opening dates for the maze and play park and other events.

Theatre on the Coast – 10 July-31 August 2019

The traditional summer theatre season in Southwold is relaunching this year with a new producer.

The new ‘Theatre on the Coast’ produced by Matthew Townshend will present four shows, each playing for a fortnight throughout the summer.

The rebranded theatre season will bring a fresh new look to the repertoire whilst continuing the legacy of Jill Freud’s & Co’s 30-year Summer Theatre success.

Find out more here

A ‘Pier-fect’ day in Southwold

For traditional seaside fun and games, look no further than Southwold Pier. Reaching over 600 feet into the North Sea, the pier offers delicious food, great shopping and quirky amusements. Enjoy Punch and Judy, magic shows, face painting and many more events throughout the summer. Take a look at the website to plan your day at the pier.

For more inspiration on what Suffolk has to offer this summer, check out our What’s on in Suffolk listings.